It is said in the Book of Prophecy (Ofudesaki) that God will provide miraculous blessings. Many would think of these blessings as exorbitant riches (material), and joy (spiritual). But these blessing are illnesses on our bodies. How can illness be a blessing?

Have you ever had a headache or illness that took control of your life, where financial, marital, and every day problems that once stressed your life became secondary. Where the only concern was the excruciating never-ending pain. Where you would do anything to lessen the pain. Where God became an option to pray for relief. When the pain finally subsided, how it felt good to be pain free and alive. But of course, for most of us this feeling is temporary; and eventually our thoughts return to our previous ways.

It is said in the Heaven’s Truth Church (Tenrikyo) that illness maybe God’s guidance to purify the mind of evil (greed, arrogance, and self love). It is said that God can see the misplaced thoughts in our minds. If one believes in causality and reincarnation, these evil thoughts and action result in suffering in our next lives. God sees the dangerous paths of our minds, and places illness to guide us now. If we purify our minds, then joy will unfold in our next lives.

So the next time, an intense headache or illness occurs, ironically it may be God’s blessing. Purify your minds of greed, arrogance, and self-love. God may be guiding you.